Martin Behrman Charter School eighth grade class has 3 sets of twins

Martin Behrman Charter School Academy of Creative Arts and Sciences boasts a unique phenomenon. Their 2012-2013 class of 77 8th-graders includes three sets of twins: Se’Kira and Sierra Ardis, Taylor and Torrance Strong II and Angel and Joy Hays.View Larger Map

Joy Hays said it was fun being a twin at school. “When we got to Behrman halfway through third grade, people would ask us if we were twins, and we would always answer 'Yes' in unison, and that was totally weird,” she said.

She said there were even times when people would get them confused.

“When we were trying to make friends, they would get confused about who was who,” she said. “Some teachers couldn’t even tell us apart, but our friends eventually figured out the difference.”

Angel Hays said that even though her situation was unique, her schooling experience wasn’t very different from that of the other students.

“I have to say my experience at school was no different than any other student's experience,” she said. “All in all, having a twin with you in school isn't any different than having a younger or older sibling. My sibling just happens to be in the same grade as me.”

Torrance Strong II said being a twin sometimes comes with unfair expectations.

“When you are a twin you sometimes have a reputation to live up to,” he said. “For example, if one twin is good at sports, people expect the other to be too.”

Taylor Strong said sometimes she and her brother actually relish the opportunity for friendly competition.

“Sometimes, we are competitive,” she said. “Every report card we’d see who had the best grades. We couldn't wait to see which one of us was going to be in the top twelve and we were excited to find out that we had both made it.”

She said competition isn't the only thing that’s important, however.

“We were not only competitive, but we were also supportive.”

Because they have all been promoted to the ninth grade, this will be their last year at Behrman. Principal Rene Lewis-Carter said she enjoyed having them at the school.

“It has been double the pleasure and double the honor, times three, to have served as their school leader.”